Windmill Sail - Common Sails

Common Sails

The simplest form of sail. In medieval mills the sailcloth was wound in and out of a ladder type arrangement of sails. Medieval sails could be constructed with or without outer sailbars. Post-medieval mill sails have a lattice framework over which the sailcloth is spread. There are various "reefs" for the different spread of sails; these are full sail, dagger point, sword point and first reef. The mill must be stopped in order to adjust the reefing of the sail.

  • Furled

  • First reef (Medieval style sail)

  • Sword point

  • Dagger point

  • Full sail

  • Full sail (Medieval style sail)

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